Why does the believer in God's existence have the burden of proof?

[SkepticThinker]

Every prayer that is not responded to is no better or worse than if you had never prayed, every prayer that is answered is a bonus.

So there is no way to tell whether prayers are actually answered at all, by any god(s).

Except by confirmation bias.

 

[leibowde84]

There's some dishonesty going on here by someone claiming to quote Merriam Webster 's definition of atheist, this is what their dictionary says; ( 2 definitions given)

a person who believes that God does not exist

Full Definition of ATHEIST
: one who believes that there is no deity
— athe·is·tic \ˌā-thē-ˈis-tik\ or athe·is·ti·cal \ˌā-thē-ˈis-ti-kəl\ adjective
— athe·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\

A true agnostic neither believes that God does not exist, nor believes that there is no deity, according to Merriam Webster dictionary

atheism: definition of atheism in Oxford dictionary (American English) (US)

Oxford English is a bit more respected than Merriam Websters. Take a look. All that is required is a "lack of belief in the existence of God".

 

[Lyndon]

You seem to think billions of believers are idiots who can't tell whether or not prayer is helping them, I chose to disagree.

 

[leibowde84]

There's some dishonesty going on here by someone claiming to quote Merriam Webster 's definition of atheist, this is what their dictionary says; ( 2 definitions given)

a person who believes that God does not exist

Full Definition of ATHEIST
: one who believes that there is no deity
— athe·is·tic \ˌā-thē-ˈis-tik\ or athe·is·ti·cal \ˌā-thē-ˈis-ti-kəl\ adjective
— athe·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\

A true agnostic neither believes that God does not exist, nor believes that there is no deity, according to Merriam Webster dictionary

atheist: definition of atheist in Oxford dictionary (American English) (US)

Same here. Unlesss the Oxford English Dictionary is incorrect, all that is required is for one to lack a belief in the existence of God.

 

[leibowde84]

You seem to think billions of believers are idiots who can't tell whether or not prayer is helping them, I chose to disagree.

Not idiots, I merely question their reasoning. And, it seems obvious that they are making huge assumptions subconsciously.

 

[SkepticThinker]

You seem to think billions of believers are idiots who can't tell whether or not prayer is helping them, I chose to disagree.

I mean exactly what I said. No use trying to put words in my mouth.

 

[Lyndon]

atheism: definition of atheism in Oxford dictionary (American English) (US)

Oxford English is a bit more respected than Merriam Websters. Take a look. All that is required is a "lack of belief in the existence of God".

You are really treating me like an idiot, you totally misquote the dictionary, the dictionary states; disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods. DISBELIEF

 

[SkepticThinker]

Not idiots, I merely question their reasoning. And, it seems obvious that they are making huge assumptions subconsciously.

This ^^

 

[SkepticThinker]

You are really treating me like an idiot, the dictionary states; disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God. DISBELIEF

OR LACK OF BELIEF

 

[leibowde84]

You are really treating me like an idiot, the dictionary states; disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God. DISBELIEF

Do you not know what the word "or" means? Or is it "lack" that is giving you trouble? It says "or" because both a person who "disbelieves" and a person who merely "lacks belief" is sufficient.

 

[Lyndon]

What bothers me is someone so obsessed with their own beliefs that they are willing to misquote the dictionary to make their "argument" seem stronger.

 

[SkepticThinker]

What bothers me is someone so obsessed with their own beliefs that they are willing to misquote the dictionary to make their "argument" seem stronger.

It seems to me you're the one obsessing here.

Instead of just accepting the label we choose to put on ourselves.

 

[leibowde84]

What bothers me is someone so obsessed with their own beliefs that they are willing to misquote the dictionary to make their "argument" seem stronger.

How am I misquoting the dictionary? I provided the link. It clearly says "... or lacks belief in the existence of God". I don't disagree that those who believe that God does not exist are atheists, I am justs pointing out that the Oxford English Dictionary explicitly states that also those who merely "lack a belief in the existence of God" are considered to be "atheists" as well. How is that misquoting anything?

 

[leibowde84]

What bothers me is someone so obsessed with their own beliefs that they are willing to misquote the dictionary to make their "argument" seem stronger.

I expect a reasoned argument for why you think I "misquoted" the Oxford English Dictionary. That was a strong accusation, so you should be ready to show me how I misquoted anything.

 

[Lyndon]

Sorry but that is not the Oxford English dictionary, it is I think the Oxford learners dictionary for the American market. For one thing the Oxford English dictionary would have multiple definitions listed, not just one easily misinterpreted one.

 

[leibowde84]

Sorry but that is not the Oxford English dictionary, it is I think the Oxford learners dictionary for the American market. For one thing the Oxford English dictionary would have multiple definitions listed, not just one easily misinterpreted one.

Ok. So what does the Oxford English dictionary say? Is it different? If not what's the difference?

 

[leibowde84]

Sorry but that is not the Oxford English dictionary, it is I think the Oxford learners dictionary for the American market. For one thing the Oxford English dictionary would have multiple definitions listed, not just one easily misinterpreted one.

atheism: definition of atheism in Oxford dictionary (American English) (US)

It's the same. Nice try though.

 

[Lyndon]

Wrong again, the Oxford English Dictionary, you know the huge very small print two volume one, is only available on line by subscription, what you are quoting is the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, American English. Oxford is in England, by the way

 

[SkepticThinker]

Wrong again, the Oxford English Dictionary, you know the huge very small print two volume one, is only available on line by subscription, what you are quoting is the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, American English. Oxford is in England, by the way

Who's being strange and obsessive again?

 

[Lyndon]

Actually its called the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, American English